Division viol

Late 17th-century division viol. Front constructed of three bent staves of medium to wide grain; central stave 65.9mm wide at the bridge; C-shaped soundholes; double purfling; above bridge a foliate ornament of purfling and burnt cross—hatching (point d’aiguille). Ribs of maple; hookbar of stained ?maple. Back two-piece, book-matched, of maple with faint bird’s eye figure, with double purfling. The outer line is continuous, with dart ornament at tail and button; the inner line forms two panels, the lower back section having floral/ knot designs at top and bottom. There is a quatrefoil knot ornament of purfling in the centre of the back. Original soundpost plate. Bar under fold and bar running along centre join were added in the 1960s. Original neck of maple with figure of fine curl; pegbox with open scroll; later rosewood pegs.